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Rabbit meat has high nutritional and dietetic characteristics, but its consumption rate is comparatively lower than other meat types. The nutritional profile of rabbit meat, by comparison with beef, pork, and poultry, is attributed to relatively higher proportions of n -3 fatty acids and low amounts of intramuscular fat, cholesterol, and sodium, indicating its consumption may provide health benefits to consumers. But, the quality attributes of rabbit meat can be originated from different factors such as genetics, environment, diet, rearing system, pre-, peri-, and post-slaughter conditions, and others. Different rabbit breeds and the anatomical location of muscles may also affect the nutritional profile and physicochemical properties of rabbit meat. However, adequate information about the effect of those two factors on rabbit meat is limited. Therefore, cumulative information on nutritional composition and carcass and meat quality attributes of rabbit meat in terms of different breeds and muscle types and associated factors is more important for the production and processing of rabbits. Moreover, some studies reported that rabbit meat proteins exhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory characteristics and antioxidant properties. The aim of this review is to elucidate the determinants of rabbit meat quality of different breeds and its influencing factors. In addition, the proven biological activities of rabbit meat are introduced to ensure consumer satisfaction., Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest., (© Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources.)

With >1600 documented human infections with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and a case fatality rate of approximately 36%, medical countermeasures are needed to prevent and limit the disease. We examined the in vivo efficacy of the human monoclonal antibody m336, which has high neutralizing activity against MERS-CoV in vitro. m336 was administered to rabbits intravenously or intranasally before infection with MERS-CoV. Prophylaxis with m336 resulted in a reduction of pulmonary viral RNA titers by 40-9000-fold, compared with an irrelevant control antibody with little to no inflammation or viral antigen detected. This protection in rabbits supports further clinical development of m336. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we discuss on the negative effect of extender black (Ed) gene on the offspring quality in Transylvanian Giant Rabbit. Ed gene makes the agouti rabbits looking like the black rabbits even if they are heterozygous (EdE), due to its dominance. In the presence of a pair of ch genes at C locus (chch), a rabbit chchEdE can be of ideal colour: white with black extremities. The problems appear in offspring when the genes at the E locus segregate, resulting in chchEE individuals. In Transylvanian Giant Rabbits the black on the extremities is preferred to be the result of the interaction of genes at the loci A and B. Such black phenotypes are due to recessive genes and generally do not segregate. The breeder can identify the right genotypes by progeny testing. A good management of the "black genes" can increase the percentage of rabbits with best color for show and/or livestock production. The first observation on the dominant black phenotype in Transylvanian Giant Rabbit was made by Moise Salejan and reported to Ioan Valentin Petrescu-Mag and collaborators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En/en is a major locus, affecting the whole body aspect in rabbits. There are many rabbit breeds which are characterized by a broken color pattern, and are called Papillon, e.g., Giant Papillon, Rhinelander, Small Papillon, English, Dwarf Papillon. Papillon breeds are rabbits having color traits that are not faithfully transmitted to their descendants and they always segregate. Judging scientifically, the Papillon breeds should not be considered true breeds. For exhibition purposes, and for lovers of this art, the Papillons should be accepted as breeds, and they are. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aimed at investigation of the main performance indices of young rabbits at slaughtering, depending on the breed, at 90 days of age. Three different and well-known rabbit breeds were used in this study: White Giant, New Zealand Red, and Giant Papillon. In terms of body weight at slaughtering and carcass weight, the best results were obtained in the case of Giant White rabbit, while the poorest were in the case of New Zealand Red. In terms of slaughter yield with head, the best results were recorded for Giant Papillon rabbit, while the poorest were obtained in the case of New Zealand Red. However, the situation was rather different for the slaughter yield without head. For this index, the Giant White rabbit showed better results than both other two rabbit breeds, Giant Papillon and New Zealand Red. Although a medium sized breed carcass should be of higher quality that those obtained from large breeds, in our case the New Zealand Red showed the poorest meat/bones proportion at 90 days when compared to Giant White rabbit and Giant Papillon rabbit. The last breed mentioned, Giant Papillon, showed the best results for carcass quality and meat/bones proportion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of the POU1F1 gene on meat quality traits in the Hyla, Champagne, and Tianfu Black rabbit breeds. We detected one single nucleotide polymorphism and the SNP was located at 536 bp in intron 5 of this gene. Chi-square tests showed that the genotypic frequencies in the three rabbit populations were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The PIC values indicated that the three populations had intermediate levels of genetic diversity. Rabbits with the CC genotype had a significantly greater pH0h than those with the CT genotype in the biceps femoris muscle. The least squares means for cooking loss in CT and CC rabbits were significantly higher than those for TT rabbits. Rabbits with the CC genotype had a significantly higher intramuscular fat content in the longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris muscles than those with genotype TT and CT. Thus, the results here indicate that this POU1F1 SNP may be of potential use in marker assisted selection for meat quality traits in rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitrification device (straw or cryotop) and embryonic stage (4-8 cell or morula stages) on survivability, normality and in vitro embryo development rate into blastocysts/hatched blastocysts. Total of 24 mature rabbit does of Gabali breed (5-6 months of age, 3-3.5 kg live body weight) were used in this study as embryo donors. Rabbit does were superovulated by PMSG and hCG. Embryos at 4-8 cell stage were recovered by flushing oviducts 32-43h post-mating, while, embryos at morula stage were recovered by flushing oviducts 64-66 h post-mating. Embryos were vitrified by straw or cryotop. Survival and normality rates were determined. The vitrified embryos were in vitro cultured for 3-5 days to record blastocyst and hatching blastocyst formation rates. Results showed insignificant differences in survival and normality rates of vitrified embryos as affected by embryonic stage, although there were a tendency of higher rates yielded from embryos at morula than at 4-8 cell stage (87.7 and 89.2% vs. 85.9 and 85.2%, respectively). Survival and normality rates were higher (P<0.05) using cryotop than straw, being 92.1 and 93.1% using cryotop versus 81.7 and 81.0% using straw, respectively. Expansion and hatching rates were higher (P<0.05) for vitrified embryos at morula than at 4-8 cell stage (80.0 and 71.5% vs. 66.0 and 54.0%, respectively) and using cryotop than straw (81.6 and 75.3 vs. 63.1 and 48.2%, respectively).The current study could be conclude that using the cryotop method to vitrify rabbit embryos rather than straw method at various developmental stages, particulary at morula stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of this study was to determine the technological quality of meat by making a comparison between hares (Lepus Europaeus Pallas) and rabbits (Belgian Giant breed). The meat quality concept is continuously changing and the consumer is interested in the healthiness of meat, sensory properties, cooking easiness and swiftness and its price. Technological quality of meat can be evaluated through determining the pH of the meat and cooking water loss. Measurements were performed on the muscles Longissimus dorsi, Psoas major and Semimembranosus at 24 hours after slaughter. To measure the acidity of rabbits and hares meat was use digital pH meter Hanna, who performs automatic reading of pH and temperature at which this is done. The highest average values for boiling water losses were found for rabbits at Semimembranosus muscles, with a percentage of 36.45% for females and 35.95% for males. For hares, they were generally more low compared to those determined for rabbits. After statistical evaluation (applying the test of analysis of variance ANOVA) on the results achieved for rabbits and the hares, were observed insignificant differences by gender for all muscle groups examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to compare mRNA levels of myostatin (MSTN), myogenin (MyoG), and fiber type compositions in terms of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) in skeletal muscles of two rabbit breeds with different body sizes and growth rates.Longissimus dorsiandbiceps femorismuscles of 16 Californian rabbits (CW) and 16 Germany great line of ZIKA rabbits (GZ) were collected at the ages of 35d and 84d (slaughter age). The results showed that the live weights of GZ rabbits of 35d and 84d old were approximately 36% and 26% greater than those of CW rabbits, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that at the age of 84d GZ rabbits contained significantly lower MSTN mRNA level and higher MyoG mRNA level in bothlongissimus dorsiandbiceps femorismuscles than CW rabbits, and mRNA levels of MSTN and MyoG exhibited opposite changes from the age of 35d to 84d, suggesting that GZ rabbits were subjected to less growth inhibition from MSTN at slaughter age, which occurred most possibly in skeletal muscles. Four types of fiber were identified by real-time PCR in rabbit muscles, with MyHC-1 and MyHC-2D, MyHC-2B were the major types inbiceps femorisandlongissimus dorsimuscles, respectively. At the age of 84d, GZ rabbits contained greater proportion of MyHC-1 and decreased proportion of MyHC-2D and decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity inbiceps femoristhan CW rabbits, and the results were exactly opposite inlongissimus dorsi, suggesting that GZ rabbits show higher oxidative capacity inbiceps femorismuscle than CW rabbits. In conclusion, the trends of mRNA levels of MSTN and fiber types in GZ rabbits' skeletal muscles might be consistent with the putative fast growth characteristic of GZ rabbits compared to CW rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, based on the survey data on farmers in 14 provinces and cities nationwide provided by China Rabbit Research System, we analyze the farmers' rabbit breeds selection, purchase channels and the demand for new varieties of rabbits as well as the problems in the course of rabbit usage. We make an empirical analysis of the factors influencing farmers' rabbit demand, and put forth the recommendations for farmers' rabbit breeds usage and to improve the promotion of new varieties of rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred and thirty rabbits were used to evaluate the effect of genotype, gestation length, season, parity and sex on growth traits of two breeds of rabbit and their crosses. The rabbit used for the experiment were breeds of the New Zealand White (NZW) and Chinchilla (CH) breed. Six breeding bucks (three/breed) and eighteen breeding does (nine/breed) served as the foundation stock. Traits measured include: body weight (BW), nose to shoulder length (NTS), shoulder to tail length (STL), heart girth (HG), trunk length (TL) and length of ear (LE). Results revealed that, BW of the rabbits were influenced (p<0.05) by genotype, gestation length and season. CH x (CH x NZW) progenies had better BW at 35-d and 49-d of age while NZW x CH progenies had better BW at 21-d of age. Kittens born late (32-34 days) had better BW at 21-d, 35-d and 49-d while kittens kindled during early dry season had better BW at 21-d, 35-d and 49-d. Genotype affected (p<0.05) all the body measurements at 21-d, 35-d and 49-d. Gestation length affected (p<0.05) all the body measurements except for NTS at 21-d and HG at 49-d respectively. Season of birth also influenced (p<0.05) all the body measurements except for LE 21-d. Parity and sex had no effect (p>0.05) on BW, NTS, STL, HG, TL and LE. It was concluded that genotype, gestation length and season influenced BW and body dimensions of the two breeds of rabbit and their crosses while parity and sex had no effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study compared behaviour, fear and stress levels of 456 crossbred rabbits reared in bicellular wire-net cages (2 rabbits/cage) with top and wire floor or open-top collective pens (20 to 54 rabbits/pen) with wooden slatted floor. The effect of pen size (small vs. large) and stocking density (12 vs. 16 rabbits/m²) in collective pens was also evaluated. The rabbits kept in collective pens rested more than those in bicellular cages (82.1% vs. 77.6% of observed time; P<0.01), spent less time feeding (7.8% vs. 10.9%), allo-grooming (0.65% vs. 1.58%) and more time moving (0.81% vs. 0.35%) (P<0.01). The percentage of rabbits sensitive in the tonic immobility test was lower in rabbits kept collectively compared to those in bicellular cages (76.6% vs. 93.8%; P=0.03). In the open field test, the rabbits kept in collective pens moved less (40.4 s vs. 57.2 s; P<0.001) and explored the arena for a shorter time (345 s vs. 371 s; P<0.001) than rabbits housed in bicellular cages; instead, these rabbits stood still for a longer period of time (82.1 s vs. 38.7 s; P<0.001). The rabbits kept in collective pens displayed a higher hair corticosterone level (15.7 ng/g vs. 6.7 ng/g for rabbits from the cages; P<0.001). Within collective housing systems, stocking density had no effect whereas increasing pen size numerically reduced the time rabbits spent eating (8.30% vs. 6.55%), self-grooming (6.39% vs. 5.47%) and time spent resting (81.1% vs. 84.1%). In conclusion, rabbits housed in collective pens displayed a more complete behavioural pattern, despite resting more; they were more bold toward humans, but more fearful in a new environment than rabbits from cages. In the tested conditions, pen size and stocking density within collective systems exerted only a weak effect on behaviour, fear and stress levels of meat rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences in carcass composition, meat quality characteristics, and muscle fibre characteristics among rabbits of different sizes and of different breeds. The present study was performed using 96 rabbits (12 rabbits per group) at the age of 90 days, including seven pure breeds and one commercial hybrid. The included rabbit breeds were as follows: the giant breed Moravian Blue (MB); the medium breeds Czech White (CW), Czech Spotted (CS), Czech Solver (CSo), and Moravian White of Brown Eye (MW); the small breeds Czech Black Guard Hair (CB) and Czech Gold (CG); and the hybrid Hyplus rabbits (PS 19×PS 39). The slaughter weights were significantly (P<0.001) affected by the breed. Comparisons of the dressing out percentage showed significant differences (P<0.001) among groups, and the lowest dressing out percentage was observed in the small breed CB (56.7%). The lowest values for the hind part percentage, hind leg percentage and hind leg meat percentage were in the medium breed CS (50.1%, 28.2% and 21.6% respectively). The results of the loin chemical composition assay revealed differences among the groups in crude protein (P<0.001), fat (P<0.001) and cholesterol (P<0.05) contents and in the hind leg meat differences in crude protein (P<0.001) and fat contents (P<0.05). The highest (P<0.05) loin cholesterol contents (53.4mg/100g), hind leg fat (3.59%) values were observed in the medium breed CS, which corresponded with the highest perirenal fat content (2.98%). For both types of muscle fibres (βR and αW), the smallest (P<0.001) cross-sectional areas, diameters and perimeters were found in Hyplus rabbits. Good results of CW rabbits in carcass composition show that this breed might be used for commercial production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Identification of genes in rabbits correlated to economic traits were intended to improve and develop their genetic quality. The objective of this research was to analyze the variability of growth hormone gene (GH) in three rabbit breeds, i.e. Rex, Satin, and Reza (Rex and Satin crosses) then was associated with ultrasound imaging of Longissimus dorsi muscle and perirenal fat thickness. Identification of the variability of growth hormone gene was analyzed using PCR RFLP technique from blood samples of 33 mature male rabbits in Indonesian Research Institute for Animal Production (IRIAP). Thickness of Longissimus dorsi muscle and perirenal fat were imaged and measured by using ultrasound unit at 2nd to 3rd lumbar vertebrae in the left body side. PCR product of GH gene fragment (231 base pair /bp) was digested with restriction enzyme Bsh1236I. PCR-RFLP patterns were allele T resulted in an undigested fragment of 231 bp; allele C resulted in fragment of 169 bp and 62 bp. The result showed that Bsh1236I GH gene had three genotypes, i.e. CC, TT, and CT. There were signifficant association of Longissimus dorsi muscle thickness between rabbit breed (P<0.05). There was no significant association between GH Bsh1236I gene polymorphism and imaging ultrasound of Longissimus dorsi muscle and perirenal fat thickness. The association of characteristic genotype of GH Bsh1236I gene with measurement phenotype was not significant, however it had potency as marker assisted selection (MAS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this case report, three different crossbreedings of pet rabbits were performed producing affected as well as healthy bunnies. All affected rabbits were smaller and had local alopecia, exophthalmus, and limb deviations compared to their healthy littermates; thus, a homozygous form of Pelger-Huet anomaly was suspected. This anomaly was confirmed by blood examination in which granulocytes with oval nuclei and a very coarse chromatin pattern, as well as lymphocytes with micronuclei were noticed. Karyotype analyses of the lymphocytes revealed many chromosomal aberrations in affected rabbits. Moreover, severe arterial abnormalities in the pelvic cavity and proximal part of the pelvic limbs were also found in these rabbits. Our findings suggest a multigenic origin of Pelger-Huet anomaly in rabbits, because only male and female offspring with the otter colour of fur were severely affected by this congenital disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TBC1D1 plays a key role in body energy homeostasis by regulating the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. The present study aimed to identify the association between genetic polymorphisms of TBC1D1 and body weight (BW) in rabbits. Among the total of 12 SNPs detected in all 20 exons, only one SNP was non-synonymous (c.214G>A. p.G72R) located in exon 1. c.214G>A was subsequently genotyped among 491 individuals from two rabbit breeds by the high-resolution melting method. Allele A was the predominant allele with frequencies of 0.7780 and 0.6678 in European white rabbit (EWR, n = 205) and New Zealand White rabbit (NZW, n = 286), respectively. The moderate polymorphism information content (0.250.05). Our results implied that the c.214G>A of TBC1D1 gene might be one of the candidate loci affecting the trait of 35 d BW in the rabbit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

6 293 records of three diallelic crossings among four rabbit breeds (California, C; Chinchilla, CH; New Zealand, N and Semigiant, S) were used to determine the individual heterosis (hI), maternal (gM) and direct (gI) additive effects on the prolific features at birth: total born (TB), born alive (BA) and viability at birth (VIAB). A mixed generalized linear model was used with the help of macro GLIMMIX from SAS for estimating the average of each genetic group. The model considered, as fixed effects, the genetic group and the experiment as well as the random effect of the parturition order. The estimations were made through the linear contrast among the average obtained for each genetic group, according to the model of Dickerson. Differences among the genetic groups showed the advantages of the pure N for each features. The maternal additive effects were more important for these features than the direct. The litters of N breed benefit in the TB, while for the VIAB the young rabbit benefit with C genes. The maternal effects were favorable for the CH and N breeds, as maternal breeds for these indicators. A significant heterosis was found for the TB and BA between - 4.6 y - 6.5% for F1 CN and CHN crossing. The differences between the evaluated crossbreeding for these features can be attributed to the maternal and direct additive effect, favorable for using the N and C breeds as paternal and the CH and N as maternal breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to evaluate the process of bone regeneration in rabbits by the use of hydroxyapatite and chitosan only and associated with bone marrow. Twenty male and female rabbits. New Zealand breed and weighing in average 3.0±0.4kg were used. Animals were randomly divided according with two experimental moments, being 10 animals euthanized 30 days after surgery, and 10 euthanized 60 days after surgery. Four implants that constituted the groups were used. Materials were introduced into the proximal (MP) and distal metaphysis (MD) of each femur, so that chitosan was introduced into the MP and hydroxyapatite into the MD of the left limb, and in the right limb bone marrow was added beyond the implants. At the comparative descriptive histological evaluation, it was found that the QUI and QUIMO groups in both periods stimulated more pronounced reactions and accelerated bone repair. In morphometric analysis, QUI and QUIMO groups differed statistically from the other, has been shown greater bone formation (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility of using insemination in small scale breed condition of lop dwarf white of red eyes. Monitored were three groups of does. In group 1 was used to induce receptivity an agent-based PMSG. In Group 2 to induce receptivity was used 30 minute common housing (8 - 10) of does before insemination. In group 3 was used natural mating. State of receptivity was recorded through a numerical scale 1 (pale vulva), 2 (pink vulva), 3 (red vulva) and 4 (violet vulva). Does in group 1 and 2 were inseminated polysperm insemination dose (0.3 ml / doe). By comparing the receptivity in group 1 (state of receptivity 2.81) and 2 (state of receptivity 2.56) were not found statistically significant differences. The best reproduction results were recorded in group 1 where on the one done insemination accounted for 3.12 pc of newborn pups. The number of pups born per one done insemination was 2.04 pc. The lowest scores were recorded in group 3 where the number of pups born per one successfully copulated doe was 1.3 pc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in haematological and biochemical indicators in young rabbits of breeds embedded in the Czech genetic resources. Seven breeds (Moravian Blue, Czech Spotted, Czech Solver, Czech White, Czech Red, Moravian White of Brown Eyes and Czech Black Guard Hairs) represented by six males of each breed were used. Weaned rabbits were fattened under identical conditions till the age of 91 days. Haematological values were measured by using automatic analyzer; biochemical indicators were determined photometrically. From the haematological indicators, mean cell volume was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in Czech Black Guard Hairs (83.00 fl) and the lowest (73.75 fl) in Czech Red. Significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) concentration of haemoglobin (143.3 g⋅l-1) was recorded in Czech Spotted; values of 125.6 and 123.4 g⋅l-1 were found in Czech White and Czech Black Guard Hairs, respectively. From the biochemical indicators, cholesterol and triacylglycerols significantly differed in rabbit breeds. Significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher level of cholesterol (3.16 mmol⋅l-1) was determined in Moravian Blue, decreasing with body size in other breeds. Significant correlations of 0.390 were determined between live weight and serum cholesterol content. Significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) content of triacylglycerols was found in Czech White and Moravian White of Brown Eyes (1.30 vs. 0.75 mmol⋅l-1). Our results showed for the first time haematological and biochemical indicators in rabbits from Czech genetic resources and the results revealed that some of these variables could be affected by the rabbit genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, canonical correlation analysis was applied to estimate the relationship between body measurements and carcass traits of 28 male cross bred rabbits of about 12 weeks of age, reared under semi intensive system. Four body measurements, pre-slaughter weight (PSW) , body length (BL), chest circumference (CC), and ear length (EL) as predictor variable while dressing percentage ( DP) , hot carcass weight (HCW) and cold carcass weight (CCW) as criterion variables. Pre-slaughter weight and body length had significant (P<0.001) simple correlation coefficients with the carcass traits except for dressing percentage. The three canonical variate pairs ranged between .99 to .42 and only the first pair was significant (P<0.001). From the analysis pre-slaughter weight and body length can be regarded as the main factors as live measurement traits, while dressing percentage did not have pronounced effect on the emerged criterion variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The researches had been held at the rabbits farm of STE Maximovca on the rabbits of White New Zealand and Californian meat breeds, crossbreds of the first generation received after the breeding (♀White New Zealand x ♂ Californian and ♀Californian x ♂ White New Zealand). After the rabbits slaughtering from four analysed groups, there was established the received meat quantity after the carcass boning of crossbreds of ♀White New Zealand x ♂ Californian which was 80.1±0.2%, and the same analysed index at crossbreds of ♀Californian x ♂ White New Zealand was 77.0±0.1%. The total amount of ratio bone/meat in the carcass there was received at crossbreds of ♀White New Zealand x ♂ Californian which was 1:4.05, and at crossbreds of ♀Californian x ♂ White New Zealand this index was 1:3.38. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work had the aim to meet the demand of local tribal people of the North eastern hills (NEH) region and to evaluate the beneficial heterotic effects of crossbreeding, developing a black-coated rabbit through the crossing of Soviet Chinchilla and indigenous local rabbits, followed by selection and line breeding to maintain the exotic blood level at 50%. Afterwards, a comparative study was done analyzing the different performance traits of Soviet Chinchilla, indigenous local rabbit and the resulting hybrid black rabbits. Data analysis revealed breed-dependent (P < 0.01) effect on all productive traits except on live weight at 60 days. The hybrid black rabbit developed through crossbreeding and line breeding was better than both, the indigenous local rabbit and the Soviet Chinchilla rabbits in terms of live weight at 60, 75 and 90 days of age, live weight gain and average daily gain during 45 to 60 days, 60 to 75 days and 45 to 90 days of age. Overall, mean growth during the period of 45 to 90 days of age in black, local and Soviet Chinchilla rabbits was recorded to be 18.71 ± 0.11, 17.60 ± 0.16 and 16.23 ± 0.21 g per day, respectively. The average air temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature and relative humidity during the period of this experiment was 24.44°C, 27.16°C, 16.54°C and 66.16%, respectively. Finally, this research demonstrated that deliberate selection in rabbits leads to improvement in quantitative productive traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carcass characteristics of the Albanian local rabbit breed farmed in two different production systems were compared. The carcasses were measured and retailed according to the norms of the World Rabbit Scientific Association. The rabbits that were reared on the family farms, the traditional system (n=36), showed a lower live weight at the slaughter age of 101 days (2025 vs. 2303 g, P<0.03), as well as a lower dressing out percentage (59.41 vs. 60.53%, P<0.05), than the rabbits (n=40) reared on the commercial farms, the conventional production system. A higher proportion of the hind part of the carcass (42.11 vs. 36.93%, P<0.05) and two shoulders (17.5 vs. 16.1%) were observed in the conventional production system when compared to the traditional one. The average of the pelts was also different at 286.5 g (traditional system) and 328.2 g (conventional system) (P<0.01), while the ratio of the pelts to the live weight at slaughter age were equal. The production system did not affect the total inedible parts percentage. In conclusion, the local rabbits reared in the conventional systems showed better carcass characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se realizaron 4725 observaciones de tres cruces dialélicos completos entre cuatro razas de conejos (California, C; Chinchilla, CH; Nueva Zelanda, N y Semigigante, S) para determinar los efectos raciales y la heterosis en rasgos de prolificidad. En el primer estudio, se aplicó un modelo lineal generalizado mediante el procedimiento GENMOD del SAS (2007), que consideró los efectos de raza (paterna, materna y su interacción), paridad y generación. En el segundo, se utilizó un modelo mixto mediante el PROC MIXED, también del SAS, que consideró al genotipo (cruce vs. puros) como aleatorio y la paridad y la generación, como fijos. Los BLUP resultantes del segundo modelo se utilizaron en el cálculo de heterosis. Se analizaron los indicadores nacidos totales (NT), vivos (NV) y número de destetados (ND). La raza materna fue el único efecto importante para los NT y NV. Se destacó la Chinchilla, con más de siete gazapos para ambas medidas. Se halló heterosis positiva no significativa en los cruces recíprocos CCH-CHC para cada uno de los rasgos en estudio, así como en los CN-NC para el ND. En las combinaciones restantes la heterosis fue negativa o nula. El empleo de la C como raza materna es una vía para mejorar los rasgos de NT y NV. Con el cruce CCH-CHC, se obtienen ventajas al nivel de la heterosis para todos los rasgos de prolificidad estudiados, y con CS-SC para el ND. Estos resultados demuestran que el cruzamiento es una alternativa para incrementar la productividad en diferentes explotaciones cunículas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the pituitary and ovarian responses in rabbit does subjected to different methods of ovulation induction. Forty-eight receptive females were randomly distributed into six groups (N = 8) and were inseminated with standard glass catheters. Buserelin intramuscular (BM) does were inseminated using a pool of fresh heterospermic semen and an intramuscular injection of 1 μg of buserelin acetate to induce ovulation. Buserelin intravaginal (BV) does were inseminated in a similar way, but ovulation was induced with the GnRH analogue (10 μg of buserelin acetate) combined with 0.5 mL of semen extender. The raw semen (R) and saline groups (S) were inseminated with undiluted semen or saline, respectively, without any inducer of ovulation. Another group (A) received lumbar anaesthesia (1.5 mL of 2% lidocaine), and only the empty catheter was introduced into the vagina. The AR does were treated the same way as group A but were inseminated with raw semen instead of an empty catheter. Blood samples were collected to determine the LH concentrations before and after AI (30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes). Ovulation, pregnancy, and conception rates were determined after euthanasia on day 14 post AI. Ovulating does had higher mean LH concentrations than nonovulating does (197.9 vs. 45.9 ng/mL; P < 0.05). The ovulation rates of buserelin intramuscular and intravaginal does were 100%, and the pregnancy rates were 87.5% and 100%, respectively. Rabbit does in groups A and AR did not ovulate and had similar mean plasma LH concentrations after 60 minutes compared with the S group (49.4 and 49.2 ng/mL vs. 41.6 ng/mL, respectively), which reached ovulation and pregnancy rates of 37.5%. Does inseminated only with raw semen had an ovulation rate of 75% and a pregnancy rate of 62.5%; they also demonstrated higher plasma LH concentrations than does of the S, A, and AR groups. In conclusion, ovulation in rabbit does can be induced by exogenous GnRH administration (im and intravaginal). The high plasma LH concentration and ovulation rate in the R group with respect to the S and A groups could weakly indicate the presence of some molecules in the seminal plasma that could act on or be absorbed by vaginal mucosa. Sensory stimulation and “seminal factors” probably exert a synergy on the ovulation response as demonstrated by the comparison of LH release and the ovulation response in the R, S, RA, and A groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The paper presents the advantages and drawbacks of rabbit production in rural areas of Romania, highlighting the importance of the first Romanian rabbit breed. The need of a Small-Scale Rabbit Production Model as a holistic and sustainable model for subsistence rabbit project development is underlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beside the Transylvanian Giant Rabbit a new rabbit breed, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) is currently in forming in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania, Romania. According to the Standards 2003 for the judgment of the exhibition rabbit acknowledged by European Association, regarding the body weight, the Rabbit of Cluj fits in the medium size breeds, with a minimum of 3.50 kg and a maximum of 5.50 kg limit. Yet, there is no other breed that rake together the Chinchilla color pattern with a New Zealand White show phenotype. Because for commercial meat production, the New Zealand White appears to be the principal breed, the genetic improvement of the Rabbit of Cluj will follow the same means of the commercial rabbits (prolificacy, milk yield, maternal instinct, weaned kits, number of valorified young's/doe, growth rate, forage capitalization, slaughter indicators, advantageousness). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of three levels (0, 5 and 10%) of perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) seeds (PFS), included in isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets, on the apparent digestibility in rabbit aged of 73 days. The trial was carried out on 30 crossbred (Carmagnola Grey x New Zealand) rabbits randomly divided in three groups of ten animals each (five male and five female rabbits). Each of them was kept in individual cages. The faeces were collected during the last week of a growing trial that lasted 50 days. No obvious health problems were encountered during the experiment and no rabbits died during the trial. The measured parameters were digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and gross energy. The only parameter that was modified by the inclusion of PFS was the ether extract digestibility; it resulted higher in the 10% PFS diet (83.9%) than in the other two diets. Perilla seed may be used satisfactorily as a nutrient supplement for rabbits at levels of up to 10% in the diet with a better digestibility of ether extract than in the other two diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic history, current status, and efficiency of the mating strategy were analyzed using the pedigree of Pannon White (PW) rabbits born between 1992 and 2007. Potential accumulation of detrimental effects and loss of genetic diversity were also considered. Calculations and estimates were done most often for ral)bits born in 2007, whereas other reference populations (REFPOPXXXX) were specified explicitly. The pedigree contained 4,749 individuals and 580 founders, and its completeness was 82.1% up to 10 and 94.5% up to 5 generations, respectively. Generation intervals through different pathways averaged 1.2 yr. When adjusted to the pedigree completeness, the amount of inbreeding (Fi) of rabbits was comparable (5.54%) with that of other livestock populations, whereas the 10 (30) founders contributing the most to inbreeding explained a large part of the population inbreeding [i.e., 42.24% (73.18%)]. The ancestral inbreeding coefficient of REFPOP2004 (10.67%) was one-half that of REFPOP2007 (20.66%), showing its strong dependence on pedigree length. Family variance, inbreeding, and realized effective population size were 84.18 (REFPOP2006; this variable could not be calculated for the last year examined), 37.19, and 91.08, respectively. The effective numbers of ancestors, founders, and founder genomes were 48, 26, and 7.33, respectively. Although the circular mating scheme applied was generally effective, the large accumulated reduction in genetic variability indicates the need to revise and improve the current breeding strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal with grasshopper meal on haematology, blood chemistry and carcass characteristics of growing rabbits. Forty rabbits of mixed breeds, aged 6-10 weeks, were randomly assigned to the dietary treatments in a complete randomized design with eight rabbits per treatment. The rabbits were fed with diets containing 0, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75 and 5% grasshopper meal in diets designated as T1 (control), T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The experimental diets and clean drinking water were supplied ad libitum throughout the experimental period of nine weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, three rabbits per treatment were slaughtered for carcass evaluation, while blood samples were collected for analysis. The result of the experiment showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatments for packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) but there was no significant effect (P>0.05) on haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The results also revealed significant differences (P<0.05) for serum globulin, glucose, cholesterol, urea and creatinine but there was no significant effect (P>0.05) on serum albumin and total protein. The results of carcass characteristics showed significant differences among treatments (P<0.05) for slaughter weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, skin pelt, tail, feet and abdominal fat. The slaughter weight and carcass weight were better in groups receiving 2.5% grass hopper meal (50% fish meal replacement). From the results, it can be concluded that inclusion of 2.50% grasshopper meal as a replacement for fish meal (50% replacement) has no adverse effects on the haematological parameters, serum biochemistry and carcass characteristics of rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study conducted to examine the role of P-Loop residues in K+ channels. The difference in the P-loop sequence of HCN channels reveals that the residues could account for differences in channel families. It also mentions threonine is highly conserved in K+ channels. It establishes the presence of the TIGYG pore-lining sequence that does not confer K+ selectivity to rabbit HCN4 channels. Further it suggests that differences in selectivity of HCN4 versus K+ channels genrate from differences outside the P-loop region.

Twenty-five genetic groups of young rabbits originated from a diallel-crossbreeding scheme among 5 selected lines: 3 maternal and 2 terminal sire lines belonging to 2 Spanish research institutions. A sample of 2,773 young rabbits from 525 litters was controlled during the fattening period lasting from 5 to 9 wk. Growth and feed consumption traits were evaluated throug-out different biweekly batches. A Bayesian approach was used for inference from an animal model with common litter effects. On average, genetic groups coming from lines selected for growth rate were heavier (+58.9 g at 32 d and +315.5 g at 60 d), had greater growth rate (9.24 and 8.15 g/d from individual or cage analysis, respectively) and feed intake (+13.24 g/d), and showed better feed conversion ratio (-0.21 g of intake/g of gain), than the genetic groups originated from crosses among lines selected for litter size. Crossbreeding parameters were estimated from the sample, of the marginal posterior distribution of the genetic group effect according to the Dickerson model. Maternal genetic and individual heterosis effects were null or very low. Direct genetic effects mainly regulated the expression of growth traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of the fattening diet, slaughter weight and sex on meat quality was studied in a total of 156 hybrid rabbits. After weaning, rabbits were divided into three groups of 52 animals each (50% male and 50% female), that were allocated for three weeks to one of three commercial diets containing low (14.28%, A), medium (18.04%, B) and high (20.48%, C) fibre content with decreasing energy levels. Animals were slaughtered at 2.0 and 2.3kg after the consumption of a common pre-slaughter non-medicated concentrate and pH, colour, water-holding capacity (WHC), Warner–Bratzler shear test and sensory analysis were all measured. Meat from animals fed with low fibre and high energy was the least luminous. Rabbits slaughtered at 2.0kg showed more yellowness than at 2.3kg at 0min. In both traits, these differences did not prevail after 15min of blooming. Globally, meat from males was more coloured than that of the females, both at 0 and 15min of blooming. No significant differences were found for pH, WHC or shear test for the individual effects. In the sensory analysis, rabbit and grass odours were more intense at 2.0kg than at 2.3kg of slaughter weight. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Para estudiar las fuentes genéticas de variación que podrían influir en la fertilidad y en rasgos de prolificidad al nacer de conejos de cruces F1, entre las razas California (C), Caoba (CAO), Chinchilla (CH), Nueva Zelanda (N) y Semigigante (S), se utilizó la información producida por 260 reproductoras y 80 sementales. Estos correspondían a 20 cruces F1, pertenecientes al período de mayo 2003 a abril 2004. Con la información obtenida se conformaron dos conjuntos de datos, para analizar los rasgos de fertilidad y prolificidad al nacer. En el procesamiento estadístico se utilizaron cuatro modelos lineales de efectos fijos, según el procedimiento General Lineal Model (GLM) del Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Este contempló efectos genéticos de interés: genotipo (paterno y materno), cruces específicos, pares de recíprocos y presencia o ausencia de una raza prefijada. En los rasgos de fertilidad no influyeron los efectos genéticos considerados. Sin embargo, en la prolificidad al nacer, el par de recíprocos C.CH-CH.C mostró ventajas de 0.8 gazapos, con respecto al par CHN- NCH. Además, se favorecieron los genotipos que no tienen la raza Nueva Zelanda, para nacidos totales y nacidos vivos. Las pequeñas diferencias encontradas, atribuibles a los diferentes efectos genéticos considerados, identificaron como combinaciones exitosas para los nacidos totales a los pares CCH-CHC, CCAO-CAOC, CAOCH-CHCAO, CHS-SCH, CAON-NCAO y NS-SN. Con este trabajo se demuestra la necesidad de nuevos estudios en mejores condiciones ambientales, fundamentalmente de alimentación. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]